Recording device found in bathroom had content from HPHS, Edgewood, according to city officials

Highland Park city and school officials are investigating “unlawful” recordings in bathrooms at Edgewood Middle School and Highland Park High School, according to a message to residents co-authored by those officials.

A juvenile student reportedly is responsible for planting a video-recording device, which a school staff member recently discovered at HPHS, at both schools. The current status of that student is unclear, and city officials did not immediately fulfill The Record’s requests for more information.

“We are sharing this message with you because we want our community to be aware of what has happened and to know that these serious incidents are being thoroughly investigated and addressed,” says the message, which is signed by City Manager Ghida Neukirch, Police Chief Lou Jogmen, North Shore District 112 Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld and Township High School District 113 Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland.

It is not stated in the message when the recording device was found. After it was found, police investigators reportedly discovered evidence of multiple recordings that featured adults and juveniles at HPHS and Edgewood.

“A limited group” of school administrators are working with police to identify and notify victims of the recordings and are using “great sensitivity for the privacy of all victims,” according to the message.

The message from officials lists the activities of city and school leaders since finding the device, including a sweep of the bathrooms at all District 112 and 113 schools, yielding no further recording devices.

The school districts reportedly have initiated Title IX investigations and have communicated available mental-health resources (District 112; Highland Park High School; Deerfield High School) to their communities.

The districts also encourage parents with specific concerns to reach out to Dr. Holly Colin at hcolin@nssd112.org or Mirah Anti at manti@dist113.org.

Stay tuned to The Record North Shore as this story develops.

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